AN INTRODUCTION
TO THE
AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL
CANBERRA
Matt Walsh
Table of content
Topic
Introduction
The Collection
The Australian War Memorial
Anzac Parade
The concept of the establishment of the Australian War Memorial
The Precinct of the Australian War Memorial
- Simpson and his Donkey
- Weary Dunlop
The Commemorative Area
- The Menin Gate
The Commemorative Yard
- Hall of Memory
- Pool of Reflection
- Eternal Flame
- The Hall of Honour
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Stained Glass Windows
The Mosaics
The author
Page
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This booklet is an initiative of the Defence Reserves Association (NSW) Inc. and the Military Police
Association of Australia Inc. as part of their Schools Military History Program.
Written and compiled by Matt Walsh JP. MLO ALGA (MCAE) Dip Bus &Corp Law (CPS)
© 2006 Published by Matt Walsh 115 Leacocks Lane Casula 2170.
Introduction
When one is studying Australia’s involvement in Military actions and campaigns or looking for
information about a relative or family friend the Australian War Memorial comes to mind as a possible
source for our research.
However the Australian War Memorial (AWM) is not just a place for research, but a source of the
recording of our Aussie culture relating to the home of the “Digger”.
The following is designed to provide a short overview into what one will encounter on a visit to the
Australian War Memorial for what ever reason.
The Collection
The Australian War Memorial houses many of Australia’s War Record. The records were original
gathered together in 1917 as part of the function of the Australian War Records Section (AWRS) to
ensure that future generations of Australians would have it own records and relics of its participation in
the Great War.
Initially, these records were kept in many locations with exhibitions being held in both Sydney and
Melbourne. The ‘Australian War Museum’ opened on ANZAC Day 1923 in the Exhibition Building
Melbourne, where it remained until 1925 before moving to Sydney where it remained until 1935.
The Australian War Memorial which had been conceived by Bean in 1918 as a place –
on some hill-top-still beautiful, gleaming white and silent, a building of three parts, a centre
and two wings. The centre will hold the great national relics of the A.I.F. One wing will be a
gallery-holding the pictures that our artists painted and drew actually on the scene and
amongst the events themselves. The other wing will be a library to contain the written official
records of every unit.
Whilst the ‘Foundation Stone’ of Beans vision for an Australian War Memorial was laid on ANZAC
Day 1929 it was not completed until Remembrance Day 11th November 1941. Bean may not have
succeeded in all of his ideas however we now have in Canberra the Australian War Memorial.
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AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL
The Australian War Memorial is recognised throughout the World as the ‘Greatest National
Monument’ acknowledging the ‘Service of Australian men and women in the Defence of their Country
and the rest of the world’.
Where else in the World is there a War Memorial which also incorporates a Museum that has been
built in such an impressive location a Nations Capital (Canberra).
From its construction in a Byzantine Style set on a hill and surrounded by lawns and Eucalyptus trees,
with a Commanding view of a Ceremonial Avenue – “Anzac Parade” which is uniquely Australian as it
stands as a “Sentinel” looking down on and protecting the Seat of Government – Parliament House –
both old and new.
Anzac Parade
Anzac Parade which is a focal point of any visit to Canberra and which leads visitors to the Australian
War Memorial is an important part of the total perspective of a visit to the Australian War Memorial.
As one stands at the entrance to the Australian War Memorial (AWM) and looks along Anzac Parade
across Lake burley Griffin to our seat of Government it is easy to pass into ‘Dreamtime’ and imagine
that one can hear the sounds of ‘marching feet’ of our troops on the red gravel marching to defend our
Nation and Aussie Culture.
The Red Gravel in the centre strip of the Parade was made from crushed house bricks because of the
sound created when walked upon which is similar to the marching of military boots during a parade.
The picture is completed by the walls of Victorian Blue Gums and Eucalyptus Trees and the New
Zealand Hebe to symbolize the ANZAC relationship. Anzac Parade was completed in 1965.
The United States of
America Reserve
Forces and Pipe Band
Marching out of the
Mist on Anzac Parade
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The concept for the establishment of the Australian War Memorial
The concept for the establishment of a place in Australia to Commemorate the Sacrifice of Australians
in War was that of Charles (C.E.W.) Bean the Official War Correspondent for Australia in WW I.
Bean’s original idea was to establish a ‘Memorial’ where the families of the Australians who lost their
lives defending the Free world could have a place to visit and ‘Grieve’ for those who were buried in
place far away and difficult to visit or even locate, many of whom had no known grave.
The idea of establishing both a War Memorial and a Museum developed as he considered that it was
important for those who wished to Commemorate the loss of a loved one and at the same time to be
able to further their understanding of war and what their love one had endured and an overview of all
Australians involved. Both of Bean’s concepts remain valid today.
The Australian War Memorial is the Australian Nations Tribute to the ‘Sacrifice and Achievements’ of
the 102,000 men and women who paid the Supreme Sacrifice serving their Country both at home and
overseas, when called to do so.
The precinct of the Australian War Memorial
On arrival at the Australian War Memorial one is greeted by ‘Simpson and his donkey’ a true blue
Australian who showed the “Aussie Spirit” at Gallipoli during World War I and “Weary Dunlop “who
served in Greece, Singapore and on the Burma (Death Railway) World War II, both men were
dedicated to assisting those who had been wounded or injured in battle.
Simpson & his Donkey “Murphy”
Weary Dunlop
To enter the Australian War Memorial it is necessary to mount a series of steps to gain entry to the
Commemorative Area. But first turn and look along Anzac Parade and you will see the many
Memorials which have been established on either side acting as a “Honour Guard” to those who enter
the Australian War Memorial and as a guard to our Seat of Government.
The Commemorative Area
On entering the Commemorative Area one is greeted by two stone lions which originally guarded the
gateway of the Menin Road at Ypres (The Menin Gate). These lions were donated to Australia by the
City of Ypres in 1936.
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Will. Longstaff’s
painting of the
‘Ghosts of Menin
Gate’.
We then enter the Commemorative Courtyard
This leads us to the “Hall of Memory”, which is a place of quite contemplation and reflection on the
horrors of war and an opportunity to ‘Remember’ those who suffered or gave their lives during times of
war.
It is in the “Hall of Memory” we will find the “Tomb of the Unknown Soldier”. To reach this place of
contemplation and serenity we must walk past the “Pool of Reflection” which has at its head the
“Eternal Flame”. On either side of the ‘Pool of Reflection’ is located the “Hall of Honour.
The Courtyard
The Hall of Honour
This is also an opportunity to ‘Remember’ and locate the names of family or friends who died
defending Australia in all Wars since the late 1900 century.
The names are arranged alphabetically
and by Unit and do not show rank or honours.
Since the internment of the “Unknown Soldier” in 1993 a custom has developed by those visiting the
Australian War Memorial to place a “Red Poppy – a Flanders Poppy, next to the name of a family
member on the ‘Hall of Honour’ or as an acknowledgement of the sacrifice of those whose names are
inscribed on the Wall.
The Flanders Poppy
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The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
The ‘Tomb of the Unknown Soldier’ is the Nations way of acknowledging those who have given their
lives in defending their Country during time of War. Prior to 1993 Australia did not have a ‘Tomb of
an unknown Australian Soldier. This changed when on the 2nd November 1993 the remains of an
unknown Australian soldier who had remained buried in Adelaide Cemetery – Viller’s Bretonneux for
75 years was exhumed and returned to Australia to be interned at the Australian War Memorial on
‘Remembrance Day’ the 11th November.
Adelaide Cemetery Viller’s Bretonneux France
The site of the Grave of the
“Unknown Soldier”
Viller’s- Bretonneux France
Tomb of the “Unknown Soldier” re-interned Australian War Memorial
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Stained Glass Windows
Within the “Hall of Memory” will be found a number of ‘Stained Glass Windows’ each representing an
Australian Service man and woman.
The Mosaics on the dome of the ‘Hall of Memory’ depicts the souls of the dead rising from the earth,
whilst the figures on the walls represent our servicemen and women of World War II.
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